“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD…” Deuteronomy 6:5

Saint Tikhon writes, "Love is the virtue opposite to hate. As bitter as hate is, so sweet is love, and as harmful and pestilent as hate is, so useful is love. And as evil and bitter the fruits of hate are, so good and sweet are the fruits of love. Hate is bitter both to the hateful and to others. Love is sweet to both the lover and the beloved. Hate devours and binds the heart. Love looses and broadens the heart. Hate kills; love gives life. He that lives in hate is dead, he that abides in love is alive. Hate is sorrowful. Love consoles, makes you glad and joyful. Hate is hard and cruel. Love is soft and tender. Hate is proud and haughty. Love is humble. Hate is merciless. Love is merciful. Hate is impatient. Love is long-suffering. Hate works evil. Love does not do evil but does good."

The Almighty God says, "He that hath My Commandments and keepeth them, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME" [John 14:21]. For the true love of God WILL PRESERVE HIMSELF FROM EVERYTHING THAT IS REPUGNANT TO GOD, says, Saint Tikhon. The Saint continues, "A manifest sign of love for God is a heartfelt gladness in God, for we rejoice in what we love. Likewise love of God cannot exist without joy, and whenever a man feels the sweetness of the love of God within his heart, he rejoices to God. For so sweet a virtue as love cannot be felt without joy. As honey sweetness our throat when we taste it, so the love of God makes our heart glad when we ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’ [Psalm 33:9]. Such joy in God is found in many places in Holy Scripture and is portrayed most of all in the holy Psalms. This joy IS SPIRITUAL AND HEAVENLY, AND IS A FORETASTE OF THE SWEETNESS OF ETERNAL LIFE.."

The holy Apostle John says, "Do not keep on loving the world, nor the things of the world. If anyone love the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him. For all that is in the world–the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the false pretensions of life–is not of the Father, but is of the wo15-15-16].rld. And the world is passing on its way, and the desire of it; but the one doing the will of God abideth forever" [1 John 2:15-17]. The "world" mentioned here us the creation after the Fall and under the dominion of Satan. It is creation no longer oriented toward God, but dominated by inordinate passions, and subject to death. [see Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31]. The "world" distorts every realm of God’s good creation. There are (a) sensual pleasures "of the flesh" (physical passions), (b) intellectual attainments and capacities "of the eyes" (the soul’s passions), and (c) inordinate possessions, powers and honors "of life" (the pride of the human spirit). Biblical ascetic practices–PRAYER, FASTING, PHILANTHROPY–help us overcome these distortions and live lives of virtue.

Our Merciful God desires a true and genuine commitment from us. We cannot be like the Laodiceans who were lukewarm in spiritual fervor and good works; their lack of commitment was revolting to the Lord, Who would have them go one way or the other. Preoccupation with material wealth and comfort had deadened their fervor for godly things. They had fallen into a complacent self-satisfaction which is denounced by the Lord, the Physicasin of our souls and bodies. Jesus Christ counsels them to seek spiritual wealth, forgiveness, resurrection life and enlightenment. It is possible and probable for a contemporary believer to fall into the same trap of complacency and indifference. Of spending one’s earthly existence to acquire material wealth and seek worldly wicked pleasures. The Lord said: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or not. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I WILL VOMIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH" [Revelation 3: 15-16].

As a child of God be respectful, contrite and authentic. Whatever you do you must never think that God does not know the truth of who you truly are and how sincere are your intentions and thoughts. Always remember He is the Creator and you are just the creature He created with His own hands. Be faithful and a True witness. We need Him for everything. "Because it is by grace that you have been saved,through faith not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning He had meant us to live it" [Ephesians 2:8-10]. Humble yourself before Him and worship Him in Truth and Love. Believe Him to be your Heavenly Father ("Our Father Who art in Heaven…"). Be an obedient servant ("Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven …"), seek reconciliation ("and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors…"), and ask for His protection from Satan ("but deliver us from the evil one."). And above all, love Him with all of your being for God is Agape (Love).

Let us pray to the Lord
Kyrie Eleison

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the Love of God and Father, and
the communion of the Holy Spirit be
with all of you.

_____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George